LAMP Hosting Companies

The term LAMP hosting refers to a web hosting environment that combines a Linux operating system, Apache web server and a MySQL database system with either PHP, Perl or Python as a scripting language. Also called a “LAMP stack,” this collection of software is a popular setup for webmasters and developers thanks to its flexibility and functionality. Indeed LAMP hosting is by far the most widely used option for hosting sites all over the world. This is is large part to the open source nature of each component from operating system to front end scripting language.

The Elements of LAMP

Originally coined in 1998 by Michel Kunze in a German magazine called c’t, LAMP may now be used to refer to more than one type of software stack. However, the original combination is still the one used most frequently by webmasters and hosting companies. Each of the four components provides something different that helps support the other three.

Linux is a UNIX-like operating system that’s known for being inexpensive, stable and flexible. Its open-source design makes it attractive to the webmaster on a budget and developers who want greater freedom in web design.

Apache is an open-source HTTP server application that processes page requests to deliver content to users.

MySQL offers a relational database management system (RDBMS) that handles the dynamic functions required by WordPress, Joomla and other CMS platforms.

PHP, Perl and Python are all powerful server-side scripting languages that serve to link the functions of MySQL and Apache together to handle complex website environments.

Together, the elements of LAMP hosting provide a powerful framework for everything from blogs to e-commerce sites. Without the dynamic nature of MySQL, Apache can’t do more than produce static pages. PHP or another scripting language is necessary to display forms and accept input from users. With Linux as the underlying operating system, these tools give you room to be creative with layout, design and functionality.

Why Choose LAMP hosting?

As part of a hosting package, LAMP is one of the easiest and most powerful collections of tools you can have. Once you become familiar with the Linux hosting environment, a LAMP hosting stack is easy to set up and to use when deploying a number of different website structures. Whether you’re a basic user or a seasoned developer, LAMP hosting offers a great deal of flexibility.

The open-source software that makes up a LAMP hosting stack can be incorporated into a hosting plan without any need for licensing and is therefore less expensive than other web development options. This allows hosting companies to offer LAMP at low monthly costs, giving you a powerful hosting environment that doesn’t drain your bank account.

Because so many people use LAMP hosting stacks, the setup has a lot of support from the development community. That means it’s been tested for many different uses and offers reliable security for your website. If you get confused or run into a problem, chances are there’s documentation available that can answer your questions.

Using the various elements of LAMP together provides greater functionality than any one application used alone, so you can provide an interactive and inviting experience to everyone that visits your website. Plus, the more popular LAMP hosting becomes, the more developers are modifying it to take advantage of the potential that the combination offers. The use of multiple powerful elements sets this software stack apart from the many other hosting options that are available.

Choosing a company that offers a LAMP hosting stack gives you an environment that will support just about anything you want to do with your website. As part of the widely available collection of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), LAMP is always being updated and improved by users to fix problems and increase its functionality for a variety of web development needs.

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